Monday, November 29, 2010

Let the fun and games begin. There are certain momentous occasions along with landmarks that not only play a role in shaping our memories, they are one part history and then just pure joy. The "lighting" of the New York Holiday Tree at Rock Center for me marks the start of "bright lights, big city and holiday fun!"

Pop on over to "Domestic Ease" today where I am honored to give-away a little "light-up" to your Holidays! What sorts of events mark the start of the holidays to you?

Thursday, November 25, 2010

I quickly sketched this up and printed it off to glue to some brown kraft paper wrapped bottles of wine to give and tied the top with ribbon and feathers! Wishing each of you a Happy Turkey Day full of love, happiness, grazing and primping of feathers. Hope each of you know just how thankful I am for you. Enjoy the day.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Today, I played tennis and had a one hour "turkey buster" work-out! Enter the holiday season and lots of calories. This season, remind yourself to "earn it." Eat for nourishment. Work-out for your heart and good health. Drink plenty of water. Eat all your veggies and fruits. Limit your sugars and load up on healthy fresh snacks, crudite, raw nuts and sparkling waters.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

How thrilled to bits was I to see my illustration over here. I love that the New York Social Diary has a shopping page. One of my loyal blog readers sent me an e-mail to tell me it was there. Did I tell you that I have the best blog fans....but of course you already know that.

The above glass pumpkins seem lit from within. I wonder if Cinderella has a pair of glass pumpkins?

The first time I spotted Carrie's work, I felt it was magical and full of illumination.

You can imagine the patience required to paint this.

Even more patience when you have a little one underfootwho wields a paint brush too.

Please welcome Carrie Waller

Artist, Blogger and Mother

Carrie finds inspiration everywhere. She lived in Europe which has influenced her tremendously. She paints scenes from her travels and artfully arranges objects for still life painting. Once Carrie tucks her children into bed, she is free to paint and often stays up way past her bed time but admits it is all for the love of art.

Carrie's words;

"Finding a balance between my art and my family is something I struggle with, I think everyone does. Since I started my blog last January I made a commitment to myself that I would create a painting a week. I decided that I needed to carve out time for my passion. I thought by the end of this year which is rapidly approaching, I would be burned out. But to my amazement the opposite has happened. I am more driven than ever and plan to take it to a new level next year. Back to the balance part, my family is very supportive and I try to incorporate my boys as much as possible. Steven, my four year old has a passion for art also as a result."

(art work below)

I took my first workshop this year and I would encourage any artist out there to do the same. I really made a mental shift at that time. A fellow workshop attendee who happened to be an accomplished artist gave me a nugget of wisdom. She said you have to make the decision that you are going to be an artist and just do it. As simple as that, it has to be a priority. That has resonated with me and I remind myself of that all the time. Those words pushed me to get out there and enter my first exhibit, which to my surprise, I won first place. I really do believe that anything is attainable with hard work and determination. Having a blog has also kept me accountable and give me a support system I wasn't expecting.